Lane said police began their investigation on Oct. 13, when a concerned citizen called and said Anderson was seriously injured and acting strangely.

"The victim was able to tell the officer and medical personnel he was beaten near the area of the XL Grindhouse Restaurant two days prior," Lane said. "The victim had noticeable injuries to his face and head. He was transported to a local hospital, where his health quickly deteriorated, and he fell into a coma."

Anderson was flown to a Bay Area hospital, where he remained in a coma for several days. The DeLeon brothers were arrested at their restaurant on the 100 block of South Main Street on Nov. 21.

Business owners said an increased number of homeless men and women are panhandling and hanging out in Oldtown Salinas, causing tensions to rise.

A homeless Salinas woman, who goes by the name "Shorty," she was shocked by the alleged beating.

"Yeah, we do bother some people, but it doesn't mean you got to take it to the next level and stoop that low to beat somebody up, especially a homeless person," Shorty said. "I find that cruel, really messed up."

"I can see where business owners have become concerned with their customers being asked for money, harassed and bothered," Salinas police officer Henry Gomez said. "I don't think that's ever a justification for assaulting someone and nearly beating him or her to death."

Robert DeLeon and James DeLeon remain locked in the Monterey County Jail on $880,000 and $500,000 bail.